SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Aruba Networks, the Mobile Edge Company, today announced that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private, coeducational institution located in Manchester, has selected the Aruba Mobile Edge Architecture for a dense campus-wide wireless deployment. The mobile network currently consists of an Aruba 6000 mobility controller and 128 Aruba AP-61 access points (APs), and fulfills SNHU's mandate to provide network access to every seat in every classroom across campus. Wireless access is also available in the student center, cafeteria, lounge and bookstore. In total, the network now delivers mobile wireless to 2,000 undergraduate day students and over 1,000 additional graduate/evening students from more than 23 states and more than 35 different countries.

"In 2005, the university implemented a laptop requirement for all students, and correspondingly, had to provide network access in all of our classrooms; it only made sense to go wireless," said Daryl Dreffs, director of computing resources for Southern New Hampshire University. "Our Aruba deployment has changed the classroom dynamic. Professors are able to enhance the learning experience by having students use their laptops during class for research and collaboration. The students and professors are more engaged and there is more interactivity. This innovation makes SNHU more appealing to both prospective and current students, and enhances the reputation of the university by turning out stronger graduates."

Dense Deployment and Strong Security Make the Grade
SNHU had a legacy environment of wired and partial wireless access. Only seven out of 60 classrooms had wired connections to the desktop, and the wireless environment in the library and four newer residence halls was not providing adequate performance.

When evaluating vendors for its pervasive wireless deployment, the university sought a solution that would maximize mobility and provide a strong signal to every corner of every classroom. After a thorough assessment, SNHU went with the Wireless Grid deployment strategy recommended by Aruba reseller Adaptive Communications. Aruba's Wireless Grid uses a dense deployment of APs to assure coverage, and makes use of Aruba's Adaptive Radio Management (ARM) functionality to automatically and dynamically adjust AP channel and power settings. ARM assures optimal coverage while minimizing co-channel interference. Dreffs states the other solution providers being considered were "planning to stretch the coverage of each access point as far as possible, which would certainly have resulted in weak signals in some areas."

Aruba's security capabilities were also core to SNHU's decision. Wireless users, including students, faculty and administrators, are authenticated at log on using their Microsoft Active Directory credentials. The Aruba Client Integrity Module, a component of ArubaOS Mobility Software, works in conjunction with a Symantec On-Demand Protection Solution (formerly Sygate On-Demand) to scan users' laptops for viruses and compliance with the university's network access policies. Laptops that are not compliant are redirected to a server for remediation before being allowed on the network. Aruba's integrated Wireless Intrusion Protection is used to detect and protect against rogue access points and other wireless attacks.

Centralized Management Cuts Costs
Although cost-savings was not an objective of the project, the capital expense for the equipment was very competitive, and the operating expenses have been significantly lower than anticipated. Dreffs originally thought he'd have to hire an additional staff member to administer and troubleshoot the large wireless network. However, Aruba's ease-of-use and management have precluded that need. According to Dreffs, the centrally-managed Aruba network has been "so reliable and trouble-free that the existing staff has not been overwhelmed with the additional responsibilities," and they will continue to manage both the wired and wireless environments, even as the wireless network grows.

"This project had very high visibility as the university's senior executives and deans had high expectations for the new laptop program and corresponding wireless network. The project had to be completed on time, and it had to work flawlessly. Both objectives were met," said Dreffs. "The quality and performance of the Aruba Mobile Edge architecture has freed me from having to deal with the headaches of a wireless network that was not functioning correctly. But what has surprised me most about the deployment is that, after an entire school year of use, I have not received a single complaint from either a student or professor."

Aruba Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: ARUN)